Rules Governing the Use of the Order's Emblem

Under the rules of the Board of Directors governing the use of the name and emblem of the Order, the following apply:

a. The name or emblem of the Order, the name of any state council, chapter or assembly, the number of any council or the words council, chapter or assembly shall not be used on or in connection with any publication without permission of the Board of Directors.

b. Such publication shall plainly state that it is the organ of the state or subordinate council, chapter or assembly and not of the Order at large.

c. The publication shall be the property of the state or subordinate council, chapter or assembly, and all receipts and disbursements in connection with the publishing of such paper shall be handled in the same manner as other monies of the state or subordinate council, chapter or assembly.

d. If published by a state council, the publication shall be subject to censorship by the state deputy; if by a subordinate council, by the state deputy and grand knight; if by a chapter, by the state deputy or president of the chapter; if by an assembly, by the master and faithful navigator; and such state deputy or other officers shall be held responsible for all matter, including advertising, published therein.

e. Assessments by state or subordinate councils, chapters or assemblies for the purpose of publishing such paper shall be illegal.

f. The emblem of the Order and the name “Knights of Columbus” shall not be used in connection with any emblem, other than the national flag or emblem of the country, or in connection with any name other than the name of the state or subordinate council or other branch of the Order.

g. A copy of each regular and special number of the publication shall be filed with the supreme secretary.

h. The provisions of subdivision 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 22 and 23 of Section 162 of the Laws of the Order shall be strictly observed; the applicable portions thereof being as follows:

6. Willful insubordination, contempt or disobedience of the lawful orders of superior authority;

7. Giving scandal, scandalous conduct or practice unbecoming a member of this Order;

9. Speaking, writing, printing or publishing any matter or statement which shall be deemed to be detrimental to the harmony and good order of the Knights of Columbus, or tending to create discord and dissension among the members or create public scandal, or causing the same to be done;

10. Sending to subordinate councils, state councils, or their officers or members or to delegates to state councils or the Supreme Council written or printed matter or statements tending to defame or bring into disrepute officers or directors of the Order or decisions, rulings or actions of the officers or directors of the Order or its policies without permission of the Board of Directors;

11. Using the name Knights of Columbus or his membership in the Order in connection with any business, or social or other enterprise, without permission of the Board of Directors;

18. Improperly using the name of the Order or without authority representing the Order;

19. Making unjust or false statements, accusations or personal defamation of or against any officer of the Order in his official capacity;

22. Issuance of appeals for aid or contributions within the state, district or territory, without the consent and approval of the state or territorial deputy; or outside the state, district or territory, without the approval of the Board of Directors;

23. Issuing appeals for, or soliciting by virtue of his membership in the Knights of Columbus, aid, or assistance or support by or in behalf of or announcing candidates for office (including delegates to state and supreme councils) in another society or body or in the Order. Any member who knowingly permits or acquiesces in such appeal, solicitation, etc. shall, if elected, be ineligible to hold office.

i. No subscriptions or advertising shall be solicited other than in the state jurisdiction or council, chapter or assembly district in which the publication is issued.

j. The publication of political advertisements or announcements of candidates for public office or for office in another society or in the Order is not permitted.

k. The publication of advertisements of beer, wine or liquor or of establishments designed as places where they are sold is not permitted.

These rules are in effect and apply to any publication presently in existence or that may come into existence in the future.

The name “Knights of Columbus” and the emblem of the Order are protected by federal trademark law. This protection is vested in the Supreme Council.

Knights of Columbus Clip Art images, whether printed or in electronic form, are property of the Knights of Columbus and are protected by state and federal law. They are only to be used as directed by the Supreme Council.